Golden West 8th Grade Elective Course Descriptions

 

Semester Length Courses

These courses are in different combinations based on teacher availability, and space in the classes. These courses are one semester in length each.

• Art (S) This course covers a wide variety of artistic features – drawing, painting, sculpture and more. Students will tap into their own culture and heritage and learn how artists throughout history have created art. Students will learn to use a variety of art materials, including Acrylic paint, clay and glazes. All projects will be taken home at the end of each section. Students will be exposed to various components of technology. Students will be provided with the materials to complete the curriculum. Students have the option of paying for the end-of-the-semester project that will be taken home.
• Drama (S) Introduces students to the basic skills and disciplines of acting and performance production. Students will learn techniques related to scene work, monologues, improvisation, movement, stagecraft, blocking, directing, and various aspects of production. Participants in the drama elective will also be exposed to and study various plays, basic theater history, and famous playwrights. Throughout the semester, students will apply what they learn by performing individually and in groups in front of audiences both in and outside of the classroom.
• Film Lit (S) We LOVE movies! In this class, students will watch great films featuring fascinating characters whose stories will capture their attention and ignite their imagination. We will discuss how themes in films connect to themes in literature students are reading in their Language Arts class, and to their lives today. Students will practice drama and speech techniques to help them bring characters and their stories to life in our classroom. Finally, students will learn how to critically evaluate a film for merit.

Career Technical Education Courses

• Drafting/CADD (S) Students will be introduced to sketching, lettering, how to measure, how to draw in isometric, oblique, 1, 2, and 3 view drawings, dimensioning. CADD (Computer Assisted Drafting/Drawing) will also be introduced. An understanding of fractions and math is essential for this course. Careers in technology will also be explored. This is an excellent stepping-stone for the high school Engineering CADD program.
• Wood Technology 8 (S) Students will be introduced to a variety of basic hand and power hand tools, as well as stationary power tools. Safety will be covered in depth. Students will construct a series of more difficult projects requiring the use of many tools, such as routers, drills, miter saw, table saw, jointer, planer, drill press, jig saw, and sanders, etc. Finishing procedures will also be covered. Upon completion, a project of the student’s choice may be made. Emphasis will be placed on Common Core Standards, organization, quality and expertise. Math, Science, Social Science, and Language Arts skills will be reinforced throughout the course. Students will be provided with the materials to complete the curriculum. Students have the option of paying for projects and materials that will be taken home.

Yearlong Electives

These electives provide an immersive study of coursework and are a year in length each.

 

•      Art History through the Ages (7/8) (Y) This course will travel through time, looking at artwork from different periods. Each period of art that is introduced will have an art-making component. For example: Starting with the Paleolithic era of cave drawings, students will learn the art period, what art was being made, and why. Students will then create their own cave drawings representing contemporary times using similar materials (charcoal) on crumpled-up newsprint or paper lunch bags. Each art period that is studied will have an art-making component that represents the contemporary, enabling students to draw on their knowledge of the world, their identity, their culture, and the contemporary world they live in.

 

Performing Arts-Year Electives (Y)

• Beginning Guitar (Y) Have you ever wanted to play along with your favorite band? Now you can learn how in GWs beginning guitar class. Explore the world of guitar by playing along with current recordings, reading music, and improvising your own solos! We will study from Essential Elements for Guitar. School owned guitars will be available for student use. No experience required.
• Beginning Piano (Y) This class is designed for students who want to learn basic piano skills. Students will learn keyboard orientation, hand position, key note names, treble clef, bass clef, grand staff, dynamics, intervals, basic scales, music notation and more. Students will study from the Alfred Basic Piano Library Complete Level 1.
• Beginning Band (Y) This course is for students who have no experience playing a band instrument. Students can pick from tuba, euphonium, trombone, horn, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon or percussion. Home practice is required to be successful. There are some school instruments available for student use. Parents may also rent or buy an instrument. Students will learn basic music notation, instrument technique, scales, and working together to play in a band. We will organise several evening concerts during the school year, and attendance at concerts is required.
• Concert Band (Y) This band is for students with one or more years of experience. Students will be introduced to rhythm, tone production, articulation dynamics, and expression. The course will focus on the skills necessary for music reading. One year of experience required
• Jazz Band (Y) Jazz Band members must enroll in an elective band class. Students will explore the art of improvisation taught through various musical styles including swing, Latin/samba, rock, and funk. Students will also learn about jazz articulation, section and ensemble playing and intonation. The Jazz Band is an auditioned group comprised of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, bass guitar, piano and drum set/ aux percussion. **Performances are integral part of the learning process. Dates will be announced at the beginning of the school year. There are some school instruments available for student use. Parents may also rent or buy an instrument.
• Symphonic Band (Y) This course is designed for students with one or more years of experience playing a wind or percussion instrument. Band instruments include tuba, euphonium, trombone, horn, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon or percussion. Students will explore different styles of music and perform several evening concerts during the school year. Attendance at concerts is required.

Application Required Electives (Y)

These courses require additional student commitment. Online applications and teacher recommendations are required.

•   Intro to Robotics (Competitive)  (Y)

The Golden West Middle School Robotics teams, the RoboStangs, build and program their own robots to complete a specific task each year. Each team must work together through all stages of the process, from concept design to competition. Within each team, students will be assigned to particular duties (which can sometimes overlap): designer, builder, programmer, or driver. If selected for the team, you will be notified and enrolled in the robotics elective. Robotics ALSO meets for an hour after school 2-3 times a week. Therefore, students and parents must arrange transportation (there is a late bus when robotics ends for bus riders). All parts, computers, and required materials will be provided for students.

 

•   Intro to Robotics (Non-Competitive) (Y)

The Golden West Middle School non-competitive robotics class is designed to focus on learning related to Coding and LINKBOTS! While this class is not a competition-based class, there may be opportunities for students to share what they learned in a collegiate setting. More information will be shared about the class opportunities as they arise.

• Leadership-(Y) Leadership is a yearlong, activity-based course designed to develop skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating projects for the school and our community as a whole. The goal of this class is to develop student leaders that positively represent the voices of the school, while selflessly serving the community, both on and off campus. Students will learn techniques to develop skills and behaviors of good leadership, including: goal-setting, time management, communication skills, human relations, managerial skills, project management, evaluation, and self-awareness. These techniques will be studied and applied in a real world setting as students carry out the business of student government, while promoting a positive school environment for all students, through various school projects such as dances, spirit days, rallies, and fundraising events.

Golden West 7th Grade Elective Course Descriptions

 

 

• Beginning Band (Y) This course is for students who have no experience playing a band instrument. Students can pick from tuba, euphonium, trombone, horn, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon or percussion. Home practice is required to be successful. There are some school instruments available for student use. Parents may also rent or buy an instrument. Students will learn basic music notation, instrument technique, scales, and work together to play in a band. We will organise several evening concerts during the school year and attendance at concerts is required.

 

• Concert Band (Y) This band is for students with one or more years of experience. Students will be introduced to rhythm, tone production, articulation dynamics, and expression. The course will focus on the skills necessary for music reading. One year of experience required

 

• Jazz Band (Y) Jazz Band members must enroll in an elective band class. Students will explore the art of improvisation taught through various musical styles including swing, Latin/samba, rock, and funk. Students will also learn about jazz articulation, section and ensemble playing and intonation. The Jazz Band is an auditioned group comprised of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, bass guitar, piano and drum set/aux percussion. **Performances are an integral part of the learning process. Dates will be announced at the beginning of the school year. There are some school instruments available for student use. Parents may also rent or buy an instrument.

 

 

• Symphonic Band (Y) This course is designed for students with one or more years of experience playing a wind or percussion instrument. Band instruments include tuba, euphonium, trombone, horn, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon or percussion. Students will explore different styles of music and perform several evening concerts during the school year. Attendance at concerts is required.

 

 Application Required Electives (Y) 

 

These courses require additional student commitment. Online applications and teacher recommendations are required.  

 

• Intro to Robotics (Competitive)  (Y)

The Golden West Middle School Robotics teams, the RoboStangs, build and program their own robots to complete a specific task each year. Each team must work together through all stages of the process, from concept design to competition. Within each team, students will be assigned to particular duties (which can sometimes overlap): designer, builder, programmer, or driver. If selected for the team, you will be notified and enrolled in the robotics elective. Robotics ALSO meets for an hour after school 2-3 times a week. Therefore, students and parents must arrange transportation (there is a late bus when robotics ends for bus riders). All parts, computers, and required materials will be provided for students.

 

• Intro to Robotics (Non-Competitive) (Y)

The Golden West Middle School non-competitive robotics class is designed to focus on learning related to Coding and LINKBOTS! While this class is not a competition-based class, there may be opportunities for students to share what they learned in a collegiate setting. More information will be shared about the class opportunities as they arise.

 

• Leadership (Y)

Leadership is a yearlong, activity-based course designed to develop skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating projects for the school and our community as a whole. The goal of this class is to develop student leaders that positively represent the voices of the school, while selflessly serving the community, both on and off campus. Students will learn techniques to develop skills and behaviors of good leadership, including: goal-setting, time management, communication skills, human relations, managerial skills, project management, evaluation, and self-awareness. These techniques will be studied and applied in a real world setting as students carry out the business of student government, while promoting a positive school environment for all students, through various school projects such as dances, spirit days, rallies, and fundraising events.